Festival of 86 returns to Sydney

Toyota hosts the second Festival of 86 gathering for fans of Australia’s favourite sports car.

Sydney’s Inner West throbbed to the tune of 2.0-litre boxer engines at the weekend, with hundreds of Toyota 86 owners converging for the second running of Toyota’s Festival of 86. 

Moving to Sydney’s new White Bay Cruise Terminal after last year’s event tested the capacity of Toyota’s NSW headquarters, the 2014 gathering once again encouraged owners from around the nation to gather in celebration of Toyota’s instant cult classic.

Australia remains the third-largest market for the 86 behind Japan and the US, and on a per-capita basis, it’s fair to say we love the low-cost rear-driver more than anyone else. 

Proving his ongoing passion for his creation, 86 chief engineer Tetsuya Tada once again flew from Japan to attend. Helping to justify his trip was a hero’s welcome from the 86 devotees, queuing in their hundreds to meet the Waku Doki master.   

Speaking with CarsGuide, Tada-san expressed his delight with Australia’s embrace of the 86. 

“When I started the 86 project, it was my dream that owners would have such passion for the car,” he said. 

Among the 400-plus vehicles in attendance, there was a cross-section of standard and modified examples, with a few of the 86’s Subaru BRZ twin and the 86-inspiring Corolla AE86 from the 1980s thrown in for good measure. 

When I started the 86 project, it was my dream that owners would have such passion for the car

Asked what he thought of the many owners who’d dared to modify his pride and joy, Tada-san was surprisingly supportive. 

“Most manufacturers are against aftermarket modifications. I am happy that 86 owners can grow with their car as their driving improves,” he added. 

Toyota Australia’s sales and marketing boss Tony Cramb also used the event to confirm plans for an Australian 86 one-make race series, which could happen as soon as 2016. 

"The concept is a pro-am with amateur drivers from across Australia competing against selected professional drivers," Mr Cramb said.

Toyota Australia also used the event to test the waters for possible factory-backed personalisation options, with four uniquely-styled show cars on display. 

The 2014 Festival of 86 forms part of Toyota’s Oh What a Feeling! Discovery Tour, showcasing several models at events across Australia.